1996 National League Championship Series Article Index for
1996
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1996
 

Information About

1996 National League Championship Series




MVP - Javy López , Atlanta

Umpires: Paul Runge , Mark Hirschbeck , Bob Davidson , Joe West , Jerry Crawford , Ed Montague

Television: Fox ( Joe Buck , Tim McCarver , and Bob Brenly announcing)


SUMMARY


Game 1

Game 1 was played in Atlanta, and the Braves held on to a 4-2 victory, with John Smoltz on the mound. It seemed like Atlanta was going to World Series easy.


Game 2

But, the Cardinals rallied for an 8-3 victory in Atlanta against Greg Maddux to even the Series at 1 game a piece before shifting back to St. Louis.


Game 3

In Game 3 at Busch Stadium , Ron Gant surprised all when he hit a homerun off of Tom Glavine to help the Cards take a 2 games to 1 lead.


Game 4

The Cardinals took Game 4, and all seemed lost for the Braves.


Game 5

However, the Braves bounced back. They crushed the Cardinals 14-0 in Game 5. Atlanta Fulton County Stadium awaited its demolition, but the Series shifted back to Atlanta, allowing one more game in the stadium.


Game 6

The Braves forced Game 7 with a 3 to 1 victory in Atlanta.


Game 7

Game 7 was a blowout, with Atlanta winning 15-0. Javier Lopez was named the MVP because he had a role in each Atlanta victory. In Game 1, he snapped a 2-2 tie with a 2-run homer; in Game 5, he hit a homerun, two doubles, and scored four runs; in Game 6, he singled and scored after being hit by the pitch; and in Game 7, he went two for four with a double, a home run, three RBIs, and scored three runs. Overall, he batted .545 (13 for 24) with eight runs scored, five doubles, two home runs and six RBIs in the Championship Series.